A court in Yerevan, Armenia, sentenced Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan to two years in prison on September 24, 2023, after he was found guilty of inciting the overthrow of the government. His lawyer announced plans to appeal the decision, labeling the case as politically motivated. The archbishop’s conviction follows his arrest in June, which ignited a standoff between security forces and his supporters.
The charges against Ajapahyan stemmed from public statements he made advocating for the government’s overthrow. Prosecutors accused him of calling for violent actions to seize power, which he and his legal team deny. The situation escalated in June when heavily armed security units attempted to detain him at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, leading to confrontations with clergy and supporters.
The Armenian Apostolic Church has condemned the court’s ruling, characterizing it as part of a broader “anti-church campaign.” This verdict aligns with a summer marked by increased tensions involving outspoken clerics and opposition figures. Notably, Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, leader of the Sacred Struggle movement, was also arrested on coup-related allegations. Investigators claimed to have recovered explosives in connection to an alleged plot, but Galstanyan’s defense has dismissed these accusations as fabricated.
Tensions in Armenia have intensified as the government negotiated the transfer of control over several border villages to Azerbaijan in an effort to normalize relations. This decision prompted large-scale protests, with the Sacred Struggle movement expanding its criticisms to encompass broader issues regarding the government.
While Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders agreed on a US-brokered peace framework in August, no final treaty has been ratified, and discussions around security concessions continue to evoke domestic debate.
Ajapahyan’s defense team is expected to pursue an appellate review of both the conviction and the sentence. Under Armenian criminal procedure, defendants can challenge trial decisions regarding legal and evidential matters. If the appeal is upheld, further review may be sought before the cassation court.
The Armenian Apostolic Church has indicated its intention to pursue legal remedies alongside public advocacy as part of its response to the conviction. As this situation unfolds, the implications for both the church and the Armenian government remain significant, given the ongoing dialogue with Azerbaijan and the rising tensions within Armenian society.